Early identification of Alzheimer's disease can benefit your patients

To build awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment options of Alzheimer's disease, the Alzheimer's Association is piloting a consumer education campaign this summer to urge those who might be experiencing memory loss to seek more information and, if they have any of the 10 warning signs of the disease, to contact a doctor.

This pilot campaign, called "Know the 10 Signs," runs in June and July in three cities: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Richmond, Virginia. The campaign features television ads, early detection information and this special Web site.

The value of early detection
Early detection benefits you and your patients.

Benefits to you:

• Better understanding of a patient's ability to manage his or her own care
• Easier identification of treatable or reversible disorders that may cause further medical or psychosocial complications
• Reduction in possible errors or poor compliance when gauging self-care abilities of the patient
• Better able to manage patients' coexisting conditions
• Respect for a patient’s right for self-determination and ability to make his or her own healthcare decisions whenever possible
• Time to address safety issues before accidents or emergencies occur

Benefits to your patients:

• Better able to understand the disease and make choices about treatment options
• Possibly more benefits to be gained from treatment
• More time to plan for future
• Ability to participate in building a care team
• More opportunity to participate in clinical trials
• For younger-onset patients, ability to make plans for employment and financial security

The Alzheimer's Association can help

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading source of information and support for individuals and families coping with a dementia diagnosis and progression of the disease. Please encourage your patients to contact us. We can help in many ways:

• Our 24/7 Helpline at 1.800.272.3900 for care consultation, information and referral
• Our Web site www.alz.org, a major source of information on Alzheimer’s disease, care and science
• Our message boards, which offer online communities to share experiences and dedicated areas for people with the disease and caregivers
• Group educational sessions and support groups local offices nationwide
• Informational publications about Alzheimer’s and dementia

Add to your professional knowledge

The Alzheimer's Association is committed to providing opportunities for physicians to increase their knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

• Physicians Section - provides professional-level information about diagnosing Alzheimer's, differentiating among other dementias, interpreting test results and treatments.
• Conferences - connect with peers from around the world to learn about the latest advancements in Alzheimer care, research and prevention.
• Professional Membership Society - join the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer Research and Treatment (ISTAART), the first collegial group representing all areas of Alzheimer disease investigation.
• Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association – subscribe to our bimonthly publication that bridges knowledge gaps separating traditional fields of investigation by covering the entire research spectrum from laboratory science to experimental drugs and innovations in care and practice.